Miami might not be like Los Angeles or New York, cities where movies are continuously being shot around every corner. But, Miami has certainly had its fair share of location filming. Maybe it was chosen because of the movie’s plot and maybe it was chosen because of its location (it hard to shoot a beach scene in Nebraska). Whatever the reason, Miami’s presence in cinema has left other Florida cities to approach, and shyly ask for an autograph. The following is a short list of Miami-born movie moments:
From Justin to Kelly: How Miami outbid every other city in America for rights to this film is beyond me. Seriously, the bidding war for this must have been up there with bidding on the Olympics or the Super Bowl. A movie featuring American Idol’s first winner and runner-up, From Justin to Kelly was enough to make anyone go from nausea to vomiting. Yes, it was seriously that bad. I would provide a lengthy discussion of the plot, but there really wasn’t one. Suffice it to say that the story line involved little more than singing, and flapping of limbs to the same choreographed routine — though, in one scene, they did dance with towels. That, in a word, was magical.
There’s Something About Mary: One of the funniest movies to ever hit the screen, this film featured Cameron Diaz as Mary, a girl who men were willing to go to great lengths to impress. These great lengths included stalking, spying, impersonating, and donning a fake British accent. Ben Stiller plays Ted, a clumsy but likable man in love with Mary; a man who wants to impress her but comes across as a little less psychotic than the rest of the fellows. A definite sleeper hit, this movie had unforgettable scenes, with laugh-out-loud moments. It also made us look forever differently at hair gel.
Scarface: At one time during the 1980s, nearly every teenage boy had a poster of this movie on their bedroom wall. It is a tale about Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino, who comes to Florida as a Cuban refugee. After becoming a gangster, as a result of the 1980s cocaine boom, he rises to the top of Miami’s organized crime world, only to fall back down. Originally released to little enthusiasm, Scarface has since become a cult classic and one of the most recognized movies ever made; it has forever left movie fans considering it as one of their little friends.
Article comments
1 - Howard Dratch
I like Miami basically and come here once or twice a year. It is a nice area that has no business within the evil of the South, of Florida.
However, I have conscientiously ignored all these films. There were a number of books that could or should have become movies. Perhaps it is time for the area to host more film crews. Sadly, so many people have "discovered" the paradise that costs and traffic are robbing it of its livability.
Still, how many pleasant places in America have not become magnets for migrants looking to live in paradise? Hollywood, L.A. and S.F. were the early ones that blossomed after the soldiers saw them during WWII.
It is Miami's turn and we can only hope that success will not spoil Tab Hunter.